How do you store and retain forensic evidence?

Begin by cataloging evidence from diverse sources like servers, workstations, and network devices, distinguishing between volatile (RAM), persistent (hard drives), and transient (network logs) types. Detailed inventory and chain of custody documentation are essential to preserve evidence integrity and facilitate thorough analysis. This structured approach not only ensures comprehensive coverage but also upholds the credibility of the evidence for potential legal proceedings.

Use appropriate tools for each evidence type—live forensic tools for volatile data, disk imaging for persistent storage, and packet capture for transient information. Employ cryptographic hashes like MD5 or SHA-256 to verify evidence integrity. These practices safeguard the evidence’s validity, ensuring reliable and admissible findings while maintaining the credibility of the investigation.

Forensic evidence is typically stored in secure and controlled environments, such as evidence lockers or storage facilities, to prevent contamination or tampering. It's important to use proper packaging, labeling, and chain of custody procedures to maintain integrity. Depending on the type of evidence, it may require specific conditions like temperature control or protection from light. Digital evidence is often stored on secure servers or specialized storage devices. Regular audits and documentation ensure accountability and adherence to protocols. Here are some common practices: 1. Secure Storage Facilities 2. Climate Control 3. Tamper-Evident Packaging 4. Chain of Custody 5. Digital Storage 6. Regular Inventory 7. Disposal

Don’t forget with your access control mechanisms to have reliable door hardware first and foremost to avoid tampering and unwanted bypasses of all the bells and whistles that go along with the overall solution

To securely store and retain forensic evidence: - Use encrypted storage media - Apply access controls like passwords - Ensure physical security - Label and catalog evidence clearly - Regularly monitor storage - Backup data for redundancy - Follow retention policies - Maintain a documented chain of custody

First you disconnect from the network. Then power off. Then create a bitwise image… then go from there. Many options after that.

Choose suitable media—optical discs, external drives, or cloud storage—based on evidence size and type. Implement robust security measures, such as encryption, password protection, and access controls, to safeguard the evidence. Clear labeling and consistent cataloging are crucial for maintaining evidence integrity and facilitating retrieval. This approach ensures that evidence remains secure, verifiable, and ready for detailed investigation when needed.

Why experts are so important: This is where your consulting engineers and metallurgists (the experts) come into their own. For example, if there has been a structural component failure, the English courts will expect that part to be preserved and provide an opportunity for a litigation opponent to inspect/analyse it in the same condition as the time of the incident. If destructive testing is required, opponents should be invited to witness this. Indeed if you go ahead without them, they may be able to apply to the court/tribunal to enforce their presence. Ideally, the experts on both sides should prepare an agreed testing protocol, agree a Testing House with each party have their own metallurgist present to witness the results.

#️⃣1️⃣3️⃣ 🙃 Host a Question and Answer session, plus tell a story, and add in some humor: Q: How did the hacker get in? A: Someone left their Windows open. Q: How did hacker get away? A: Used the backdoor and ransomware. Q: Why couldn't the witness identify the hacker? A: Used Spyware and Subnet Mask to hide identity. Q: How did the hacker get caught? A: CSIRT used a Bug, to lure in Scattered Spider, and they got stuck in the Web. A2: The CSIRT used Python to Byte...well, let's just say that a little bird (a.k.a. Parrot) did some squawking, but now they are done talking. Q: What happened to the hacker after getting caught? A: Police made them WannaCry by clearing their cookies. A2: FBI made their Heartbleed by deleting their cache.